Follow ZDNET:  Add us as a preferred source  on Google. A few years ago, I had a vision of never needing a mobile hotspot again. After all, my iPhone -- a gadget that's never more than an arm's length away -- has that feature, and connecting to it is a doddle if all your devices have the Apple logo. But it's a poor experience. Try as I might, the connection is almost always unstable and slow (especially when streaming or connecting to a remote system). It's a massive pain if you have any Android devices because they continually disconnect, which hammers the iPhone's battery. Also: I love AirTags, but this alternative slips right in my wallet and solves their biggest flaw Over the years, I've tried a few different mobile hotspot devices, but most have been underwhelming, especially given the price tag of some.  When Acer offered me the chance to test out their new mobile hotspot, my expectations weren't high. Yes, on paper, it looked great, but they all look great on paper.…